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Cleft Sentences (It was… that, What I need is…) – Test 1

C1 Advanced GrammarEnglish

This C1 grammar test checks how well you form and use cleft sentences such as 'It was… that' and 'What I need is…'. It covers it-clefts, wh-clefts, all-clefts, reversed clefts, negatives and questions, and common advanced-level errors. It suits upper-advanced learners, exam candidates and teachers who want a focused practice or assessment sheet.

Questions
30
Time
30 min
PDF
4 pages
Answer key
Included
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Choose the one correct option (A–D) for each question. Choose your answers, then press “Check my answers”.

Part 1: It-clefts – form, negatives and questions

Choose the option that correctly completes each it-cleft sentence.

  1. I didn't break the vase. It was my brother _____ knocked it over.

  2. It was in 2015 _____ they finally moved to Lisbon.

  3. _____ until she moved abroad that she realised how much she missed her family.

  4. _____ who left the back door open last night?

  5. Who was it _____ recommended this restaurant to you?

  6. It's the neighbours who _____ always complaining about the noise.

  7. It was this book _____ I was telling you about.

  8. Which sentence correctly emphasises the reason for the cancellation?

  9. It _____ Jonas who organised last year's conference, wasn't it?

  10. Wasn't it Priya _____ said she'd bring the dessert?

Part 2: Wh-clefts, all-clefts and reversed clefts

Choose the option that correctly completes each sentence.

  1. What I need right now _____ a long holiday.

  2. What she did _____ call the police immediately.

  3. _____ happened was that the printer ran out of ink just before the meeting.

  4. All I want _____ a quiet evening at home.

  5. The reason _____ I called is that I need your advice.

  6. _____ I can't understand is why he turned the offer down.

  7. A good night's sleep is _____ you need.

  8. This is _____ I grew up.

  9. What you should do is _____ to the manager directly.

  10. The last thing I expected _____ for her to apologise.

Part 3: Errors, transformations and use in context

Find the error, choose the best rewrite or response, or identify the meaning in context.

  1. Find the error: What I really enjoy it is the peace and quiet of the countryside.

  2. Find the error: It was Sara which designed the new logo.

  3. Choose the sentence closest in meaning to: 'I only realised the truth when I read her letter.'

  4. A: Did you lose your keys again? B: No, _____

  5. 'It was the manager, not the staff, who made the mistake.' What does this sentence emphasise?

  6. The noise kept me awake, not the heat. What kept me awake _____ the noise, not the heat.

  7. Find the error: What did surprise me was that how calm everyone stayed.

  8. _____ that you first became interested in photography?

  9. Which sentence is correct?

  10. A: Why are you so upset? B: He forgot my birthday. _____ annoys me.

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About this test

This C1 grammar test checks how well you form and use cleft sentences such as 'It was… that' and 'What I need is…'. It covers it-clefts, wh-clefts, all-clefts, reversed clefts, negatives and questions, and common advanced-level errors. It suits upper-advanced learners, exam candidates and teachers who want a focused practice or assessment sheet.

Topics covered

It-clefts (It was… that/who)Wh-clefts (What I need is…)All-clefts and reason cleftsNegative clefts (It wasn't until…)Cleft questionsReversed clefts (That's what…)Error correction

How to use this test

  1. Download the PDF and print it, or take the test online below.
  2. Answer every question without a dictionary or time pressure.
  3. Check your answers and note the topics you need to review.

Notes for teachers

Use this test after teaching how cleft sentences shift focus onto new or contrasting information. It targets typical C1 errors: using 'which' or 'what' instead of 'that/who', adding an extra 'it' or 'that' after the focus, repeating prepositions, using the wrong verb form after 'What he did was…', and mistakes with 'It wasn't until… that'. As a follow-up, ask students to rewrite neutral sentences from a short text as clefts to express contrast or correction, then read them aloud with appropriate stress.